Update: Blood clot in lung killed Forest Hills girl

Courtesy PhotoSara Smajic, a senior at Forest Hills Northern High School died Monday after passing out in class and having difficulty breathing.

Posted 3:40 p.m.
Visitation for Sara Smajic has been set for 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4219 Cascade Rd. SE, followed by a 5 p.m. graveside service at Graceland Memorial Park. Imam Ahmet Alic from the Bosnia Cultural Center will perform the service.

Posted 12:48 p.m.
The Forest Hills Northern High School student who died Monday after collapsing at school had a blood clot in a lung, according to an autopsy conducted today.

Sara Smajic, 18, died as a result of a "pulmonary emboli," said a statement from the Kent County Sheriff's Department. Kent County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cohle labeled the death "natural and not suspicious."

"They can't believe she was just here yesterday. That's what they keep saying," said teacher Rhonda Gavalis, who had Smajic in journalism and world literature classes last semester.

Smajic began having breathing problems during a theater class, prompting a call for an ambulance at 2:05 p.m., said Principal Jon Gregory. Smajic's father also was summoned and arrived at the school before the ambulance took her to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Gregory said.

At about 4:40 p.m., Gregory learned that she had died.

"We haven't heard anything. We are waiting just like everybody else to hear what happened," he said.

Smajic attended Forest Hills schools since she was in elementary school. She participated in musical theater and worked on the student newspaper.

"She was a kind and wonderful girl that everybody was just happy to be around," said Gavalis. "She was the kind of student that you'd want to have in every class because she wanted to try everything and had a good attitude."

Smajic had a solid group of friends, "so a lot of people are hurting today," said teacher business management and marketing teacher Brian Johnson.

She had applied at Grand Rapids Community College.

On her Facebook account, Smajic said she enjoyed basketball and soccer games, shopping and Starbucks. Her favorite quote came from Nelson Mandela.

Several friends posted notes.

"God bless Sara, you'll be forever in my heart and the hearts of so many others," wrote Jenn Schanz.

"You weren't just my best friend but you were my sister, my other half, and so much more," wrote Maria Ervin.